What Your Faith Has To Do With Snowstorms

Posted on Jan 11, 2011 | 0 comments

There’s nothing better than a good snowstorm. You might not agree, but if you’re a long time New Englander, you know there’s nothing like watching snowflakes shimmer in the streetlights.

Snow days are exciting, but they take a backseat to something else:

The night before it snows.

Granted, the snow day itself is something to behold. But the excitement, the anticipation of a snow day is even more enjoyable then the event itself. Just look at any kid who stares intently at the television screen waiting to see whether or not school is canceled for the next day.

The school kid brings all of his attention to the TV screen. He becomes familiar with strange words like “Doppler radar”. He waits, with eager expectation, knowing deep down in his gut that that the snow is going to dump hard–any minute.

Expectation is powerful.  It brings about focus, passion, and persistence.

Expectation & Faith

Biblical faith is defined by expectation,

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1.

Faith begins with a promise.  When the promises of God are heard and received by faith, they come to pass.

A Promise + Faith = Blessing

As a people marked by faith, expectation should define our daily life.  We should expect that all our needs will be met.  Why? Because it’s promised.  We should expect to hear God’s voice.  Why? You got it, we have a promise that he will speak. We should expect that suffering will come in this life but that we will get through it victorious and full of perseverance.  Why? I think you know.

Get to know the promises that God has made. Listen for promises that he makes to you personally.  Remember the promise, repeat the promise, and EXPECT the promise daily.

When you meet to worship with your community of faith, either in the home or in a public building, expect God’s manifest presence to meet you.  He is honored by this expectation because he is the one who promised to “show up” in the first place!

Expectation In Worship

There is nothing more difficult than leading a group of people in worship who are all waiting for God to sneak up and surprise them.  God is so gracious that he will often put up with this immaturity and encounter people who are indignantly waiting for him to prove himself in some way.

But if you find yourself in a group of people who are hungry and expectant for the presence of God, it’s only a matter of time before the ground starts to shake.

Even Atheists Exercise Faith

Faith isn’t about naivete.  It’s about weighing a promise, and the track record of the one who makes it.  You exercise faith every time you set foot on a plane, expecting that the pilot is trained, capable, and sober.  You exercise faith whenever you drive down the street that the other drivers will not cross the median and collide with you head on.

Weigh the promises of God carefully.  Look at his character and track record, then draw your own conclusions.  But make sure that you decide one way or another.  Are his promises for real? If they are, then expect to see them come to pass.